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As your communications officer (PRO) I am delighted to share my annual report with you, those who follow every post, every score update – there’s been a few!!, my profuse thanks for supporting everything our county does. I also thank our clubs for their unequivocal backing for 2026 and I look forward to all it brings.
#clgdhĂșnnangall #duÌnnangall #uphereitsdifferent
CLG DhĂșn na nGall â Communications Officer Annual Report 2025
SinĂ©ad UĂ BhrĂaĂn / SinĂ©ad Breen
Overview
A second year has passed in this role, and it continues to be an absolute honour to serve Donegal GAA. On March 1st, the traditional title of Public Relations Officer (PRO) officially evolved to Communications Officer, reflecting the ever-expanding scope of the position â encompassing media relations, digital strategy, streaming, content creation and community engagement. While the title may have changed, my commitment remains exactly the same: to give 100% for this county, to communicate openly and effectively, and to ensure that all aspects of our association are promoted with pride and professionalism.
Over the past twelve months, I have continued to focus on accessibility and positivity. My goal remains that Donegal GAA supporters â whether in Ballybofey or Boston â can easily find fixtures, results, news and coverage across all codes. I am happy to report that the general mood remains overwhelmingly positive, with genuine engagement and encouragement from the public and the media alike.
Our digital platforms again played a central role: our website, the Donegal GAA App, our streaming service and our social-media channels continue to bring the activities of our county to a worldwide audience.
As I reflect on 2025, I feel both proud and grateful. This position is not one personâs achievement but a collective effort. I want to thank everyone â club PROs, volunteers, players, officials, and supporters â who make Donegal GAA what it is.
National GAA Congress
A true highlight of 2025 was Donegalâs honour of hosting GAA Congress â a source of immense pride. Delegates from every county in Ireland, and from GAA communities around the world, descended upon Donegal for the weekend. The warmth, professionalism and hospitality they experienced left a lasting impression.
Feedback from visiting delegates, Croke Park officials and international representatives was universally positive. Many commented on the seamless organisation and the beauty of our county, and they left with a genuine fondness for Donegal. To all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this possible â from logistics and hospitality to media and volunteer teams â my heartfelt thanks. It was an extraordinary moment for Donegal GAA and one we can be very proud of.
Digital Platforms
Our focus on accessibility continues. Throughout 2025 we expanded our digital presence further, enhancing both the website and the Donegal GAA App. Updates included improved layout for mobile users, more comprehensive notifications, and stronger integration of fixtures, results and streaming. Analytics show sustained growth in traffic and engagement, and Donegal GAA remains among the most followed county boards online.
Social media remains at the heart of our communications strategy. Our Facebook, Instagram, X (previously Twitter) and TikTok channels have all seen strong engagement, particularly around match days, streaming updates and player milestones. Our reach continues to expand internationally, allowing Donegal supporters everywhere to feel part of our story.
For stats on all platforms, please see the separate presentation presented to convention.
Donegal GAA TV â A Year to Remember
As Donegal GAA Communications Officer, Iâve had the great pleasure of working with StreamSport to bring Donegal GAA TV to homes, phones, and devices EVERYWHERE!!
This has been our first year working with StreamSport, and what a partnership it has been. Raff Rocca, Mike Finnerty, and Ciaran Nolan are an absolute dream to work with â consummate professionals who combine hard work with a drama-free, positive attitude and plenty of good humour along the way.
Weâve also been fortunate to work with Bradas Video Productions and Mac Av for all our camerawork, and I want to extend a huge thank you to them. To all our outstanding commentary teams, thank you for sharing your knowledge, expertise and passion for our games with everyone who watched on Donegal GAA TV. Whilst I donât like to single one person out in particular, I have to give special credit to OisĂn Kelly, who went way over and above to help me when we entered the agreement with StreamSport. This county is lucky to have a broadcaster like OisĂn, a fact fittingly acknowledged at the IMRO awards!!
This year has been a huge success â we streamed games from the first day of the football championships right through to the last, covered all of the hurling finals, the Minor A football final, and have continued to bring schools games to viewers, just as we did last year. And we are not done yet!!! They truly are a dream team.
Finally, I want to give massive thanks to our fabulous County Treasurer, Grace Boyle. Grace knows her stuff, and she does whatever it takes to make us the best we can be. I thank her profusely â not just for her support with Donegal GAA TV, but for everything she does for Donegal GAA and to aid me in my role. There are not enough superlatives to convey how lucky I am to work with Grace daily.
Inter-County Football
This has been another incredible year for Donegal GAA. Under Jim McGuinness, our senior footballers retained the Ulster Senior Football Championship, overcoming Armagh in a dramatic extra-time final. Thankfully penalties were not required!! The team went on to create history as the first side ever to play 11 championship games in one season, a testament to their consistency and resilience. Whilst the All-Ireland final did not go our way, we have had an incredible year and to all who contributed to this I give my heartfelt thanks.
We also celebrated individual recognition: Finnbarr Roarty was named GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year, a proud day for Donegal football and for his home club. Having 10 nominees for the PWC All-stars is testament to the dedication and talent of our players. The unity, belief and positivity generated by this group of players and management has been truly inspiring, and the excitement across the county for 2026 is already palpable. Thank you to Jim McGuinness, Colm Anthony McFadden, Neil McGee and Luke Barrett, the backroom team and our players for our brilliant year. To Sean Dunnion and Kieran Espey, whom I work closely with, my profuse thanks. You are both incredible at what you do, and make my role easier as a consequence.
At under 20s we had a strong season, testament to the great work of the management team and their panel. Losing the Ulster final was indeed heartbreaking, but I have every belief that this group have more to say. My thanks to Gary Boyle, Shay Murrin, their backroom team, liaison officer Cieran Kelly and all the players for a great season.
Our Minors had a long season and lost the Ulster league by the narrowest of margins to the team that went on to win the All-Ireland minor championship. I wish to thank Barry Ward, his backroom team, liaison officer Andy Doherty and all of our players for so many great days. Saturday mornings were well spent promoting the future senior players of our clubs and county.
Inter-County Hurling
With the overlap in fixtures, the promotion of the under 20 and minor hurling games is mostly done by our hurling board communications officer Lorena McGrory. I wish to thank Lorena for her work at all times. When she canât be there, she organises someone who is and she and I are hugely grateful to all who helped us out with this. Thank you to Adie Gaffey, DaithĂ Roberts and all their backroom teams and players for all their help with promotion. They embrace this so diligently.
The 2025 season was a mixed but encouraging year for our Donegal senior hurling team. In the Allianz Hurling League we competed in division 2 for the first time, and we made further history with a memorable 5-14 to 3-16 victory over Kerry at OâDonnell Park and also recorded a solid 1-20 to 0-13 win against Tyrone. In the Christy Ring Cup, we so very nearly
could have made the final! The last game away to Meath was a memorable day and the team put in a huge performance to beat Meath. A great way to end the season! I wish to thank Mickey McCann, his backroom team, our players, our liaison officer Frankie Doherty and hurling officer Cormac Hartnert as well as our hurling board. The enthusiasm within our hurling community is admirable and I hope I get to continue to promote their efforts proudly.
Club Football
Our club scene remains the heartbeat of Donegal GAA. Naomh Conaill continued their remarkable form, winning their fifth Donegal Senior Football Championship in seven seasons, while Termon GAA were deservedly named Donegal Club of the Year in recognition of their on-field successes, such as winning league division 1, and major clubhouse development.
The split season leaves little time for working with our clubs to promote the leagues as much as I would do so in an ideal world. So my praise to those within our clubs who keep their fixtures to the forefront of their social media channels.
I adore club championship, at both codes. And after a long inter-county season, it is nice to be a wee bit more local!! Going from club to club, to different grounds and meeting new people, meeting people I have known for years and working with our club members to showcase our club scene really is an absolute privilege. Thank you to everyone for their help, support and for the dozens of great cups of tea that, I am very appreciative of!!
Club Hurling
Hurling continues to make steady progress within the county. The spring league is hotly contested and brings valuable game time to players. The hurling championship finals day is truly one of the best days of the year. A day when all our hurling community come together and we all put our best feet forward to show what the oldest of all our codes means to us. My commitment remains to ensure all codes are given equal coverage and recognition.
Schools Games
Our schools again produced magnificent performances this year, confirming the strength of underage development in Donegal.
Several schools captured Ulster Schools Football titles, with Abbey Vocational School standing out as they reached the MacRory Cup Final, losing only by the narrowest of margins after a superb campaign. This achievement, coming so soon after their MacLarnon
Cup success, underlines the progress and ambition within our schoolsâ football scene. I want to sincerely thank all teachers and coaches who keep me informed of fixtures and results, allowing me to ensure these young players get the coverage they deserve.
It is no secret that I absolutely LOVE to promote the schools football. And in all honesty, I would also love to see a school compete in a hurling competition in Ulster Schools!!
To any teacher, coach or school principal reading this â if you wish to have your games featured on our platforms, please reach out. Promoting schoolsâ games remains one of my key priorities, as it forms an essential bridge between youth, club and county football.
Media & Communications
Once again, our media outlets have been exceptional. Donegal is blessed with outstanding local press, photographers, radio and online journalists who provide comprehensive coverage of all levels of GAA activity. I cannot overstate how valuable their professionalism and cooperation have been. As I said in my report last year, we as an association could never afford to pay for the coverage we receive.
Our local media cover every single adult game played in our county. A staggering fact. When the inter-county season is in full tilt and I try to split myself between both codes and multiple teams, our local media are steadfast in their promotion of all our local games. We are lucky to have their work. Please pay for the subscription or buy the paper!
Our relationship with the national media also continues to strengthen, ensuring Donegalâs story is well represented across Ireland and beyond.
PR Committee & Colleagues
Behind every successful season is a group of dedicated volunteers who give their time freely. My heartfelt thanks go to our PR & Marketing Committee, our club PROs (now communications officers), our photographers, our match-day and streaming teams, and the many people who assist quietly behind the scenes.
Iâve been delighted with the colossal work of the PR & Marketing Committee working group this year. Fergus McGee, whilst my ever-present with me at games, is a huge help in so many ways, PA announcing at our games and arranging our Amhrain na bhfiann singers and has given 2 years of dedicated service to the PR Committee. He is also there for a second opinion, to help with programmes and one of my favourite people on the planet. Paul Patton and Katrina Boyle Bonner were my new recruits this year and went over and beyond. We loved our county days, but the club scene is where the gigantic work is and they got stuck in and then some. Lorena McGrory, our Hurling and Coiste na nĂg communications officer, continued to give her all for both codes.
Iâve loved working with our county photographer Kevin Gallagher, he has provided you all with fantastic footage all year long and he isnât done yet!! He is genius. Full disclosure: We even have a âKev wallâ in our house, dedicated solely to the candid pics he snapped. I will cherish these.
Damien Carr â the day I inherited you from many of my predecessors, was one of the best days ever. You are phenomenal, I appreciate every single solitary thing you do, and you do it so unassumingly, quietly and brilliantly! Damien lost his Mammy this year. I am so very sorry for your loss, but please know we all adore you.
Gerard Callaghan has been promoting all things Inishowen for decades and is still as effervescent as ever. I thank him for everything.
In October 2024, I was asked by an Athlone University student to let her complete her final thesis with Donegal GAA under my stewardship. Eimear Walsh, a member of CLG An ClochĂĄn Liath, and I worked closely to rebrand and streamline all Donegal GAA brand guidelines. The results are clear to see, we use the same colours, logos, and fonts across all media ensuring uniformity and an all round more professional look. Eimear unsurprisingly got a 1st in her degree. I wish to congratulate her hugely and wish her every success in her future. Any employer would be lucky to have her as part of their team!! Eimear also undertook the new role of Digital Lead and AJ Breen the role of digital intern. And a great job was done by both.
Another role of the Donegal GAA Communications Officer is to sit on the CCC. I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues on the committee for their dedication and cooperation throughout the year, and especially our Chairperson, David McLoone, for his leadership and support.
Without referees and match officials, we donât have games. To our RAC, led by referee administrator Pat Walsh, I extend my utmost thanks.
Helping promote the huge work of our fundraising committee chairman Cieran Kelly, is something I feel strongly about backing. Cieran works incredibly hard to bring in essential money to keep our training centre, teams and academies financed. He is brilliant to work with, he has a sharp marketing mind and for all his input, opinions and neverending graft, I am very grateful.
County final days require build-up and ambience, and Christy Murray, Paschal Gillen and the Ardaghey Pipe Band brought that in abundance to all our finals!!! I am so very grateful.
I am lucky to work with fantastic communications teams in both Ulster and Croke Park, a special thanks to SiobhĂĄn Brady who was a huge help to me im the run up to the All-Ireland final. To all at Ulster GAA, I extend my thanks too.
Two of my executive colleagues complete terms in their respective roles; Frankie Doherty and Catriona Sweeney. I wish them every success in any future roles they may acquire, but I thank them hugely for the past two years. Indeed, I express my thanks to all my colleagues who have worked with me for the betterment of our county.
I wish to thank our county Chairperson Mary Coughlan, I really do love working with Mary. She is fair, so very knowledgeable, experienced in so many walks of life and a phenomenal Chairperson. My profuse thanks to you.
The return of our annual Awards
I was delighted to see the return of our annual awards. Whilst a lot of work was involved in both the preparation and execution of same, it was a great night. My thanks to our ever professional MC Damien Ă DĂłnaill, to AJ for all the graphics and videos, and to our amazing county photographer Kevin Gallagher.
Our recipients:
– Finnbarr Roarty Senior Footballer of the year
– Paul OâHare Intermediate Footballer of the Year
– Conor OâDonnell Junior Footballer of the Year
– Gerard Gilmore Senior Hurler of the year
– Brendan Gaffey Intermediate Hurler of the year
– Donal Farrelly Junior Hurler of the year
– Michael Langan Senior Inter-County Footballer of the Year
– Steven McBride Senior Inter-County Hurler of the year
– CLG An Tearmainn Club of the Year
– Eugene McGarvey (An ClochĂĄn Liath) Gradam cultĂșrtha
– John Friel (Urris) honoured with the 2025 Hall of Fame Award for decades of service
These awards reflect the incredible depth of dedication across Donegal.
Looking Forward
As we close out 2025 and look to 2026, my priorities are clear:
*Hopefully get re-elected!!
– Continue to modernise and expand our communications platforms and their content
– Expand streaming coverage and analytics
– Strengthen the bridge between clubs, schools and county
– Develop volunteer capacity within communications across this large county
The re-naming of this position to Communications Officer reflects that evolution â not just in title, but in vision.
Conclusion
It continues to be an immense privilege to represent Donegal GAA. Though as Iâve said before, and in fairness my accent gives away!!!!, I wasnât born here, but I do believe I was born for here â to give my all to this county, its clubs, players, and people. This year once again proved what can be achieved when like-minded people work together for the betterment of Donegal.
One final thank you, and an essential one. To my incredible family who work with me all day everyday to make my doing this role possible. Sometimes I feel there is a very misplaced notion that this role is in someway glamorous. It isnât, it is constant hard work, insanely long hours, a huge amount of driving and an even bigger diesel bill!! But at all times I have the backing of my family. This is not something I take for granted, but it is something I cherish. A special mention to my eldest child AJ, she is growing up as I did, with a huge love of and devotion to the GAA. Her three siblings do so much in their own ways to help me too, Mikaela and TiernĂĄn for all their tea making and sandwich serving at various events, and my boss baby Christopher, who hit double digits this year, for his massive hugs when I get home.
May we all enjoy a happy, peaceful Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of health and success for CLG DhĂșn na nGall.
Beannacht Dé oraibh go léir,
Le meas,
SinĂ©ad UĂ BhrĂaĂn
Oifigeach CumarsĂĄide
CLG DhĂșn na nGall
Sinéad Breen
Communications Officer,
Donegal GAA
